BARLEY Henry

Henry Barley was the second child of Armell Barley and Laura Parker. He was baptised on 15 February 1880 at Birlingham, Worcestershire, England. He married Emily Blundell (born 1875) on 14 February 1900 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. Henry and Emily had 2 daughters – Alice Mabel Barley, born 1903 and Emily Doris Minnie Barley, born 1905. Whilst in England, Henry served in the Militia. He boarded the “Paroroa” at London England on 15 September 1914 with Emily’s younger sister, Florence Minnie Blundell (born 1889), and arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 18 November 1914, leave his wife and children in England. On 26 November 1914, Henry bigamously married Florence at the Mission House, Brisbane, changing his name to Frederick Henry Barley and his place of birth. On 30 April 1915, Henry and Florence welcomed a son, Frederick Henry Barley into the world.

Henry was a man of 37 years and 7 months when he enlisted for the Great War at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He stated his occupation was a farmer at Cooroy West, Queensland at the time, although researchers have found him to be a farm labourer. He was described as 5 feet 7 ½ inches (171.5cm) tall. He weighed 153 pounds (69.4kg) and had a medium complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Henry noted his religion as Church of England. He acknowledged he was a married man with 1 child and listed his wife, Florence who was living at Cooroy North, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin. Later, she moved to Prince Street, Thompson Estate, South Brisbane and then to Tagigan via Gympie, Queensland. Henry also stated he had 12 months experience with the Militia in England.

On 07 October 1916, Private Henry Barley of 52 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Ceramic” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. He disembarked Plymouth, England on 21 November 1916. Although his record doesn’t state, Henry would have spent a month in England with a Training Battalion. On 28 December 1916, Henry embarked Folkestone aboard “Princess Victoria” to proceed overseas to France. First stop after disembarking was at 4 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, before he proceeded to join his unit. On 02 January 1917, Henry had join 52 Battalion and taken on strength. The 52 Battalion A.I.F. participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and attacked at Noreuil on 02 April 1917. Later that year, A.I.F. operations moved to the Ypres section in Belgium where the Battalion was involved in the battle of Messines between 07 June and 12 June 1917. Henry was killed in action on 08 June 1917. He has no known grave, therefore his name is enscribed on the Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium.

Henry’s bigamous marriage and the issue of two more children came to light after his death when both wives applied for the War Widows Pension. After a lengthy investigation, both wives were granted a War Pension. Emily was sent the British War Medal with Clasps, a Memorial Plaque and the brochure of “Where the Australians Rest”. Florence was given the Victory Medal and a Memorial Scroll.

Ordinary monthly meeting of the Noosa Shire Council held at the Council’s Office, Pomona on 1th August 1917
Incoming correspondence:
The Chairman here stated that since the last meeting there were three more of the district soldier lads who had given their lives for the Empire.
Cr. Parker proposed.
Cr. Chapman seconded.
That a letter of condolence be sent to the relatives of the late Privates G.W.L. Davis (sic Davie), J.J. Blunt, and – Barlow (sic - Barley).
The Councillors stood in silence.

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin (as H Bailey);

Cooroy Cenotaph, Memorial Triangle, Diamond Street, Cooroy;

Cooroy District Honor Roll (Supreme Sacrifice), Cooroy Memorial Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy;

Cooroy District Soldiers Poster - No 4 in Soldiers who Made the Supreme Sacrifice;

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war);

Menin Gate Memorial;

Panel 21 Commemorative Area Australian War Memorial Canberra.

Information researched and supplied by Carol R.
Further info supplied by Betty and Di.